Experimental testing of the ultimate strength capacity and failure of a sandwich beam structure

Research Project
, 2012

The aim of the project was to carry out an experimental testing programme on full-scale composite beam structures that can be used in large-scale merchant vessels. The main objective was to determine the ultimate strength of the composite beam structures and to monitor the continuous degradation/failure characteristics of them. The composite beams should be manufactured in accordance with the fabrication technology used by a world-leading Swedish company who builds composites vessels. Two types of reinforcements should be compared, carbon fibre and glass fibre. For each type of reinforcement material, six beams should be tested. The results from the experimental testing programme will contribute to the understanding of how the ultimate strength and failure characteristics of real-case composite beam structures vary as a result of uncertainties that are related to material properties, fabrication process, experimental testing and selection of measurement methodology.